Regional visitor attractions to account for 8% of GCC inbound travel market by 2012

The event is scheduled to take place on February 2 - 4 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

GCC outbound travelers spent in excess of Dhs44.04bn on vacations in 2007 and this figure is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6% to Dhs55.60bn by 2012 according to industry estimates.

"The typical GCC tourist prefers a 'family-oriented' tourism experience and the profile of the leisure travelers to the GCC will no longer be limited to sun, sea, sand, shopping and security, the five S's on which the Gulf tourism industry has been developed and will now have the added alternative of entertainment resorts, theme parks and heritage attractions,"

remarked Paul Grinnall, Show Director of MEAAPLE.

He noted that more than 30 multi-faceted entertainment resorts and theme parks are being built in the GCC until 2012 with a projected investment of Dhs228bn ($62bn).

"This diversification of the tourism product offering will result in increased business and additional guest nights for the GCC countries," Grinnall stressed.

While oil has been crucial to the GCC's development since the late 1960s, the public and private sector investment in tourism development and the figures denoting growth provide encouraging evidence.

"With the constant innovation and development of the GCC tourism infrastructure, we are positive that tourism will play an increasingly important role in the sustainable transformation of the regional economies," Mr. Grinnall added.

"Tourism prospects are closely tied to general economic prospects as is seen in both developed and developing countries and looking ahead, there is good reason to be optimistic that this trend will continue," he said.

MEAAPLE that is scheduled to take place on February 2 - 4 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) has been devised to target this fast growing segment of the leisure market.

MEAAPLE is a unique international trade event dedicated to the development, operation, management and maintenance of amusements, attractions, theme parks, tourism and resort developments, and leisure and entertainment facilities across the Middle East, catering for the 'Out of Home Leisure' industry.

MEAAPLE offers the opportunity to influence, network, educate and build relationships with major developers, investors, retailers, senior decision makers, operators, manufacturers and suppliers in the Middle East.

MEAAPLE will provide a unique platform to further enhance and support the vision for attractions, amusements, theme parks, tourism and resort developments, and leisure and entertainment growth in the Middle East.

There is demand from a wide spectrum of facilities including Culture & Arts, Heritage Villages, Theme Parks, Hotels & Resorts, Recreational & Leisure Parks, Retail & Shopping Malls and Cinemas & Multiplexes, Water Parks, Amusement Parks, Zoos & Wildlife Parks, Golf Courses, Family Entertainment Centres, Museums & Science Centres, Aquariums, Sports & Spa Clubs, Health & Fitness Clubs, Equestrian & Polo Clubs.